The train screeched to a halt at the quiet Dalhousie station. The platform was dimly lit, the chill of the night biting through their coats. Ritika adjusted her bag over her shoulder, her expression betraying her irritation at the cold. Rohit, on the other hand, stretched leisurely, as though he’d just arrived at a vacation spot.

“So, this is it,” Rohit said, looking around. “What now?”

Ritika sighed, already regretting her decision to take the train. “Now we find a bus to our destinations.”

Rohit nodded, gesturing towards the exit. “After you, Ms. Grumpy.”

“Stop calling me that,” Ritika muttered, walking briskly ahead.

Outside the station, they spotted a lone cab parked under a flickering streetlight. Its driver, an elderly man with a woolen cap, looked half-asleep but perked up when he saw them approaching.

“To the bus stop, please,” Ritika said curtly, climbing into the cab.

“Same here,” Rohit added, sliding in beside her.

“You don’t have your own destination?” Ritika asked, arching an eyebrow.

“I do, but this cab’s meter looks expensive,” Rohit replied with a grin. “Might as well share the ride.”

Ritika rolled her eyes but said nothing.

•

The bus stop was deserted, save for a few stray dogs curled up in the corners. A flickering bulb cast a weak glow over the waiting area. Ritika sat on the bench, her hands buried in her coat pockets. Rohit leaned against a pillar, humming a tune.

“You’re surprisingly chirpy for someone waiting for a midnight bus,” Ritika remarked.

“Well, why not?” Rohit replied. “The stars are out, the air’s crisp, and I have excellent company.”

Ritika snorted. “You’re easily pleased, aren’t you?”

“Why not? Life’s better that way.” He paused, grinning mischievously. “So, tell me, Ms. Corner Lover, why Kakira? Honeymoon spot?”

Ritika shot him a withering look. “Why Khajjiar? Adventure trip?”

“Touché,” Rohit said, laughing.

Before Ritika could retort, a shadow moved in the distance. She turned her head, her body tensing. Rohit followed her gaze and noticed a group of men approaching.

“Friends of yours?” he joked, but Ritika’s pale face wiped the grin off his.

“They’re not friendly,” she whispered, getting to her feet.

The men spotted her and broke into a run. Without thinking, Ritika grabbed her bag and bolted. Rohit, confused but instinctively protective, took off after her.

“Hey, wait up!” he called. “Who are these guys? Debt collectors? Ex-boyfriends?”

Ritika glared at him mid-run. “Does this look like the time for a Q&A session?”

“Well, excuse me for being curious!”

She turned a corner sharply, Rohit on her heels. The men behind them shouted, their footsteps pounding on the pavement.

“What did you do to make them so mad?” Rohit asked, dodging a street vendor’s cart.

“I exposed their company for fraud!” Ritika snapped, hopping over a stray dog.

“Ah, whistleblower drama,” Rohit said, impressed. “Nice. So, what’s the plan?”

“Run and don’t get caught!”

“Great plan,” Rohit muttered while running.

As they reached a narrow alley where a jeep was parked. Rohit’s military instincts kicked in. “Hold on, I’ve got an idea.”

“What—” Ritika started, but Rohit was already moving.

He grabbed a large rock and aimed for the jeep’s tires. It hit with a loud thud, deflating one of them.

“There,” he said, puffing his chest proudly. “Problem solved.”

The goons turned the corner and saw the deflated tire. One of them growled, “We’ll just run faster!”

“Great job, genius!” Ritika yelled, yanking his arm. “Now they’re angrier!”

As they ran, Rohit tried to lighten the mood. “Hey, at least they’ll get more exercise!”

“Do you ever stop talking?” Ritika shouted over her shoulder.

“Not really. Keeps the adrenaline going.”

As they reached the dimly lit highway stretched endlessly, flanked by towering trees on either side. Ritika and Rohit sprinted along its edge, their breaths labored and hearts pounding. The distant sound of approaching footsteps faded behind them, but neither dared to slow down.

“I swear,” Ritika gasped, clutching the strap of her bag tighter, “if we get caught, I’m going to haunt you for the rest of your life.”

“Relax!” Rohit replied, his voice light despite the situation. “No one’s catching us.”

“You sound way too confident for someone who almost tripped over his own feet five minutes ago.”

“I’m still standing, aren’t I?”

Before Ritika could retort, the faint rumble of a vehicle caught their attention. They turned their heads simultaneously to see an old, rickety bus approaching from behind. Its headlights flickered weakly, but the bold letters painted across its side were unmistakable: NIRVA.

Rohit skidded to a halt, his eyes lighting up. “That’s it!” he exclaimed, pointing at the bus.

“That’s what?” Ritika asked, hands on her knees as she caught her breath.

“The bus to Nirva! We should get on it!”

Ritika straightened up, her brows furrowing in disbelief. “That’s the most foolish, stupid idea I’ve ever heard.”

“Why?” Rohit shot back, jogging backward as the bus neared. “It’s perfect! Nirva shuts down for two weeks every year—no one in, no one out. It’s like the ultimate hideout.”

“Ultimate hideout?” Ritika repeated incredulously. “Do you even hear yourself? We have no idea where this Nirva is, what it’s like, or who’s there. For all we know, it could be full of axe murderers!”

Rohit shrugged, his expression unwavering. “Better than the people chasing us right now, don’t you think?”

The sound of distant shouts reached their ears, reminding Ritika of their precarious situation. She glanced at the approaching bus, her mind racing.

“I can’t believe I’m even considering this,” she muttered under her breath.

Rohit grinned, sensing her hesitation crumble. “That’s the spirit! Come on, it’s now or never.”

The bus was slowing down as it approached a small, makeshift stop by the road. Rohit broke into a run toward it, waving his arms. “Wait! Stop!”

The driver, an elderly man with a thick mustache, squinted through the windshield and reluctantly pulled the bus to a halt. The doors creaked open, and he peered down at Rohit and Ritika, who had caught up to him, panting.

“Where to?” the driver asked gruffly.

“Nirva,” Rohit replied without missing a beat.

The driver raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that? It shuts down tonight. Last bus for two weeks.”

“That’s why we’re here,” Rohit said confidently, glancing at Ritika, who rolled her eyes but said nothing.

The driver eyed them suspiciously for a moment, then gestured for them to get on. “Suit yourselves.”

Rohit climbed aboard first, holding out a hand to Ritika. She hesitated for a second before reluctantly taking it.

“Just so you know,” she whispered as they moved toward the back of the bus, “if this turns into a disaster, I’m blaming you.”

“Noted,” Rohit said with a grin, settling into a seat.

The bus creaked and groaned as it pulled back onto the road, the trees blurring into a dark wall outside the window. Ritika stared out at the passing scenery, her nerves still on edge.

“You’ll thank me for this,” Rohit said, leaning back in his seat.

“Don’t push your luck,” Ritika muttered, though a part of her couldn’t deny the faint spark of curiosity about the mysterious village of Nirva.

As they settled into the creaky seats at the back of the bus, Rohit stretched out with an exaggerated sigh. “Ah, finally. Safe and sound. See? My plans always work.”

Ritika shot him a glare. “Your plans? You mean dragging me into a death chase and then boarding a bus to a village that might as well be the set of a horror movie?”

Rohit smirked, unfazed. “Drama queen much? You should thank me.”

She huffed, crossing her arms. “oh really ?!Life already kharab chal rahi thi, and now you show up to make it worse!”

He leaned toward her, grinning. “Worse? Madam ji, isse kharab nahi exciting kehte hain.”

Ritika rolled her eyes and turned her head toward the window, muttering something under her breath. But Rohit wasn’t done.

“By the way,” he said, feigning innocence, “if they come looking for us, I’m counting on your brilliant ideas to get us out of trouble. I mean, your escape skills are top-notch. Really, you’re a natural fugitive.”

Ritika whipped her head back to him, her patience finally snapping. “Zyada bakwas ki toh unhe khud phone laga ke yahi bula lungi. Khud bhi fasungi aur tumhe bhi fasaungi!”

Rohit blinked, momentarily stunned into silence. Then, unable to help himself, he let out a soft chuckle.

Ritika gave him a pointed look. “Not. A. Word.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender, though the amused glint in his eyes remained.

The bus rumbled along the uneven road, and for a brief moment, there was quiet between them. But even in the silence, Ritika could feel Rohit’s infectious energy, and despite herself, the corner of her lips twitched.

If nothing else, she thought, this journey was going to be anything but boring.

I know the target isn't completed but still.

Target:

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